Chapter 03: Act I

[storyevents]

The Little Mermaid: Act I—

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§ instructions.

The first Act of our third campaign is underway! This is the designated log for all Main Scenes. Others are free to create their own toplevels for the Sub Quests, which are detailed below. Each Main Scene has their own unique toplevel and those cast into the roles are to thread their scene under each. All scene instructions are provided in the toplevels. There are also toplevels for each Sub Quest this time around, but players are more than welcome to create their own individual toplevel if they have something else in mind they would like to do.

As a reminder, characters will find similar information and instructions within their journals so they won't go in blind. Also to note, all characters will have all their belongings within them as well as the additional supplies provided to them by the Storyteller. As you know, everyone has undergone a special "mermaid" transformation upon arriving into the Book, but do note: characters in Main Scenes will have a second wardrobe change while acting the scene. Their merform will stay the same, but they'll have additional bits to add to their role. Outfits will be provided in the prompts themselves, and these outfits will only be in affect during the scene. The moment they leave the setting area, they return to their other wardrobe.

Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped in to their location and will have to travel to the "setting location" and then return. Threading all of that isn't necessary, but it's to help give a better idea that characters can take a break between scenes or wait a bit to help with other things like the Sub Quests.

Feel free to refer to the Game Notes for more detailed info as well as ask questions or clarifications.

Comments

[rokubro]

[Rokurou eyes Keith for a moment...but then he grins. His essence may not like the idea, but daemon actually approves of the younger man's response.]

Sounds like a good enough plan to me. [He then extends his hand and one of his short swords appears.

By now more strained creaks could be heard as the door continues to push in towards them, more of that black ooze seeping out.]

Now... How about we help it out a bit? [That grin turns a bit more dangerous as he twirls his blade in his hand, fully intending to throw it at a weak point on the door.] Ready?

[chatwithdeath]

Quite the number still remaining against them and while they all could very well be incapacitated, it would be best just to deal with them.

"I might, but it'll take a moment."

So if he could buy time... The luminescent colors across her body began to shift, changing the pattern they were signalling. According to her journal, being inside this story gave her a little more strength.

Well, time to test it out.

[tempredmental]

[Keith braced himself, ready to push off for some extra speed, and then nodded.

He was ready.]

[ricebird]

[Damn. Eat your heart out, Cloud Strife.

Still, even though that display is VERY effective, there’s one swan that manages to escape the onslaught, having already dived down after the fishy that stole its not-egg! Kotori has speed on her side at least as she keeps going down, clutching the pearl tightly, but that foul fowl is DOGGED in its pursuit, and Kotori’s praying that Blot swans need air too.]

[ricebird]

WHACK! The two sharks collide with a burst of water and crunching cartilage. It’s definitely an impressive sight... but thankfully not SO distracting that Kotori can’t see two more quickly charging at him from behind.

For a second she’s frozen again... but then an image flashes through her mind.

Squid ink.

She rushes TOWARD the fight again, gripping the handles of her pot tight, and then once she’s close enough she THRUSTS the donabe towards the fray.

“COOK, NABE-CHAN, COOK!”

And the pot SPEWS rice porridge into the open water, spraying thick gluey rice, making it hard to see or move, the attacking shark’s mouths only grasping porridge.

And through the chaos Kotori BARELY manages to grab Shizuo’s hand.

“Come on, let’s go!”

[hatesviolence]

Shizuo doesn't notice Kotori swimming in behind him, too focused on the sharks in front of him and wrenching that anchor free to wind up for another hit, until he hears her screaming her pot to cook. But before he can shout at her, a thick spray of porridge fills his vision. It's a good thing she grabbed his hand since he had been so surprised by the sudden "attack," but he won't protest.

After getting his wits back, he just chucks the anchor into the mess before swimming alongside her. He's going full tilt, so he may end up dragging her in the end.

[rokubro]

[Honestly Rokurou actually wished he could use his gunblade instead—easier to fire a bullet than having to throw his whole sword out. But bullets don't exactly work well here, and he can retrieve it later.

So once he gets the signal, he throws the short blade right into the weakest point of the door. Having to adjust to the water, he had to use a bit more oomph in it to make sure it actually traveled fast and strong enough through it, and it does. It breaks through the rotted wood, which was weaker than he initially perceived, and actually stabs the creature behind it. There's a warbled shriek before dark black tentacles finally pierce through, the entire wall breaking apart as a black squid like creature appears. It's not the world's largest, but it easily fills at least half of the room.

Seeing the two of them, it propels its entire body towards them, so if Keith better move because here it comes! Rokurou will dash to the side, narrowly avoiding a tentacle.]

[rokubro]

[Bad swan, don't stalk pretty fish girls!

Seeing the swan chasing after her, Rokurou kicks his tail into high gear to try and close the gap until he can take one last lunge to thrust his blade into the swan.]

[tempredmental]

[Woah... Keith almost bolted too soon at the sight of those tentacles, but he held his ground for just long enough before kicking off the side of the hull and propelling himself away in the opposite direction as Rokurou.]

[ricebird]

If it was on land, no doubt Kotori WOULD be dragged along, possible even waving behind Shizuo like a banner. But here she has a tuna’s speed. While Shizuo is still pulling on her hand and Kotori still have to WORK for it, she pushes herself hard enough to keep pace with him.

Once they STOP, though, she’s definitely breathing hard.

“Ohhhhh thank goodness that was WAY too close...!”

[hatesviolence]

Even Shizuo is a bit breathless when they finally reach a safe point—sticking to the shadows of one of the underwater palace buildings but close to the main entrance a lot of crystal light nearby. Going further in would be better, but this isn't a bad place to at least catch their breath.

"You okay?"

Of course the first thing he asks is how she is. As a friend and an adult, he is concerned!!

[rokubro]

[Good thing they're going to try and deal with it outside, eh? And outside it goes as it crashes right through the side of the ship as planned. It's also a good thing the ship itself is lodged on the rocks because the structure shudders and even moves a bit from the violent force.

Yet despite its "boss level" size, Rokurou is just grinning fiercely, his blades already in his hands (he'll pick up the one he threw later).]

Finally, something worth my time.

[If Keith didn't get the vibe that this guy likes to fight—;he will now.

And without saying another word, he instantly swims out to engage the large, black squid, his blade already quick to slice through one of the tentacles.]

[ricebird]

“Y-Yeah... I should be asking YOU that, I’m not the one that was fighting sharks singlehandedly! Are you okay?”

[hatesviolence]

"Yeah, I'm fine. One bumped against me, but nothing to worry about."

[detectiveforhierophant]

If Dojima had more strength, he would have huffed, said he didn't do much, it was mostly Eustace's skill that saved them...

But... he didn't. Everything was suddenly catching up to him; the cold, the lack of adrenaline, the pain...

And with a soft breath, his eyes closed completely, his body slumping entirely against the creatures back.

You get the last word this time, Eustace.

[flamekthunder]

Eustace watched over him for a moment or two longer before looking back out towards the fast approaching shore. Riding on a whale was...different, but it was at least smooth despite the stormy waters. As they drew nearer, the waves seemed to calm and once they reached as far as the whale could go, everything seemed to be a little brighter and the skies clearer.

The whale submerged itself, allowing Eustace to grab Dojima and wait until they were both floating on the surface. With an awkward nod and word of thanked to the whale, he then adjusted Dojima onto his back and made his way to the shore. Then came what he expected to be the hard part—actually putting Dojima to shore. He could only drag and push him so far without legs.

However, it would seem he didn't have to do much. Once the upper half of Dojima's body touched the beat, they were both engulfed in white light and are back at the underwater base camp. Eustace was surprised as he wasn't sure what to expect, but after seeing Dojima's condition he wasted no time. Immediately he placed him on a safe location before going off to find some help. Who was it... Naomi who had healing potions? It would be a start at least.

After that well...his job was done. He would reflect on this experience to keep in mind should he ever be chosen again.

[tempredmental]

[Right... Well, then.

He glanced over at the thrown blade, then back at the fight. Might as well... He swam over quick to grab the sword, pulling it free from where it had embedded itself in the wood of the ship, and then went into the fray, not afraid to take this thing out.

Keith didn't necessarily like to fight, but he was good at it, and he often found himself in situations where it was needed, so... here he was, doing what he could to take out this Blot.

He was certainly no stranger to a blade, and he was getting used to maneuvering underwater with a tail.]

[ricebird]

“Really?”

Yeah, really, Shizuo, does “bump” translate to “I now have massive bruising and hemorrhaging and maybe some teeth embedded in my side?”

[rokubro]

[And into the fray they go! Out in the open ocean, the squid is able to fully stretch out its body, making it appear even larger than it had been inside the ship. It truly poses as a formidable threat, especially with its barbed tentacles and giant beak. And despite it's large size, it's actually very agile through the water.

Rokurou will first work on cutting down some of those annoying tentacles. Doing so will give Keith a few openings as the squid will be distracted by the daemon's blades. But eventually it'll turn its attention to Keith and it'll be Rokuru's turn. He also has to be quick on his reflexes. He's hit once or twice and sent "flying" out, but despite the initial stun he'll shake it off to come back in with a vengeance.

All in all, he'll be swinging his blades like a machine, slashing and tearing into the squid while also being mindful of Keith. If he can he'll try and help defend or cover him if necessary, but Rokurou won't be crowding around him. The kid seems like he can hold his own, and he's interested to see how well he does.]

[hatesviolence]

That was the worst case, worst case! He really is fine! ....Except for maybe some large bruises but he's fine, totally fine.

So just another firm nod.

"Never been hit by a shark before, but it didn't feel as bad as being run over by a garbage truck."

...That's reassuring, right?

[tempredmental]

[Keith noticed a bit that Rokurou was helping him out, and he was honestly okay with it. Though, again, that was likely due to their essences being a match like this. Not that Keith ever wasn't okay when people helped him out or watched his back. He appreciated his team back home for that exact reason. But, still, he was used to doing things on his own, and, without his regular team here, it was nice to know he wasn't completely alone.

Either way, the two of them were making quick work of the giant squid blot. The tentacles were tricky, but cutting them off was definitely helping. He worked on that as well as needed, in addition to attempting closer shots in on the body. With only the one blade for now, he didn't dare try throwing it as he didn't want to potentially lose it (not that he wasn't good at that, but being without a weapon against those tentacles would be problematic). Plus, it wasn't his. Yet, he found that it was actually not so bad being able to fight in three dimensions instead of just two. Instead of jumping for an attack, he swam up and then dove.

Easy, and the extra push from his tail made up for buoyancy.

And there it was... the opening... Keith spotted a good clear shot for a kill strike, and went for it, the blade slicing deep into the rubbery skin. The creature thrashed in response, knocking him loose, but he managed to pull the blade free as he was pushed back, preventing it from sinking to the bottom with the dying squid.

He could feel a few hits on himself as well, and checked to make sure he wasn't bleeding. It would bad to attract a shark right now... but he was good. Looked like it was just going to be some bruises... He looked back at Rokurou.]

Well... that actually worked. You hurt at all?

[ricebird]

“A garbage truck?!”

Yeah, not really! Geez, where’s Shinobu to mother hen this guy into submission?

[detectiveforhierophant]

"Got it."

Buy some time? He could do that.

Swimming in front of the sea witch, Dojima's eyes narrowed, the blade glowing brilliantly in the dim light.

He made the mental note, that maybe he should see about getting shield before the next time he fought--

No time--!

His arm moved on instinct, blocking the sudden rush from the first Eraser, then the second, third-- their teeth trying desperately to crush through the sword's blade, but to no avail. Still, if he wasn't careful, that could be his arm, next--!

[detectiveforhierophant]

"Maybe when I'm actually a challenge for you."

He's being frank about it; he could tell as much as Rokurou was an idiot, he practically lived and breathed by his sword. If all Dojima had to rely on was his essence, well, it wasn't really a fair contest between them.

"...Wait, a daemon?" Demon, yokai? So he wasn't that far off about him being something out of a bad 90s cartoon, huh? "What does that mean?"

...He'd ask about the guy's essence after figuring out what this guy actually was.

[hatesviolence]

There's a dark expression on his face for a moment as he recalls the incident. Tch.

"Had a construction crane fall on me, too, but I just shrugged it off."

Literally. He literally shrugged it off.

"It was all because a stupid flea, don't worry about it."

As if anyone wouldn't worry after hearing something like that!!